Directed by Ding Yiteng and produced by Drum Tower West Theater, a private theater located in the capital's downtown, the Chinese play, I Did Not Kill My Husband, made its debut in Beijing on Aug 19.

Adapted from Chinese novelist Liu Zhenyun's work with the same title, the play was first staged in Guangzhou in March, but its tour around the country was postponed due to the pandemic.

As a winner of China's top literary prize, the Mao Dun Literature Award, Liu published the work in 2012, which follows a woman, Li Xuelian, who lives in rural China and spends over 20 years earning back society's respect after her former husband tarnished her reputation. In 2016, the novel was adapted into a movie directed by Feng Xiaogang.

Ding, 30, worked with Eugenio Barba, one of Europe's leading directors, at the globally acclaimed Odin Teatret in Denmark in 2015. He is also an actor, who made his debut in 2012 in the Chinese play, To Live, directed by Meng Jinghui. Ding combines a variety of elements in the play, such as Peking Opera and hip-hop dance.

Chinese actress Zhang Xinyi, who is known for her roles in movies and TV dramas, plays the role of Li.

After its shows in Beijing, the play will be staged in other Chinese cities, including Tianjin, Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou.